Canadiens vs. Capitals: Game thread and lines

Game 20: Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French)
In the Capitals regions: MNMT
Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+

Montreal may be missing three forwards who would usually play in the top nine and a top-four defenceman, but the club has managed to play some of its best hockey of the season in recent games with those four first-round selections out injured. They have finally given up on trying to create offence by putting the opposing defence in a spin cycle, instead putting them through the wringer with more pressure on the forecheck and getting closer to the net to generate their chances.

Now the thing they need to address most (outside of the goaltending that isn’t where it was a season ago) is their play in the second period. A couple of goals in the middle frame versus Columbus almost cost them the game, but they regrouped with a strong third period to claim a point. Montreal has now given up at least two second-period goals in each of the past four games, and they can’t afford that against a good defensive team.

They catch a Washington Capitals team that not only had to travel today after playing at home last night, but tonight will be their sixth game in 10 days. Montreal just enjoyed a couple of days off, and has to take advantage of the opponent’s fatigue with a relentless push tonight.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook

Washington Capitals projected lineup